Oh-High-No! Disappointment, but no real surprise, in the heartland

Hard to believe, I know. But it’s true: in a Midwestern state that has resisted medical cannabis for nearly two decades, during a non-presidential/non-congressional election year, with a legalization scheme seemingly designed to offend pretty much everyone, after a tin-eared campaign which played into some of the opposition’s most persistent stereotypes… a plan to legalize cannabis was rejected by Ohio voters.

Given the foundation described above, what could possibly have gone wrong? Not everything, but plenty.

The Plan: A group of investors bankrolled the effort to write and campaign for Issue 3, to the tune of $40 million or so. These funders then wrote themselves into the proposed law as a de facto oligopoly controlling the only ten land parcels where cultivation for retail sales could take place. Advocates have decried the high entry costs for medical cannabis licenses in states like Massachusetts (what mom and pop store has $500,000 to throw in escrow?); far too many saw the blatant money grab in Ohio as a bridge too far.

Employment Opportunity

Interested in joining an expanding company in an exciting and cutting edge industry? Wellness Connection of Maine, with our 5 locations and 60 (and growing) employees, is looking for highly motivated, positive, compassionate, and excellence-oriented people to join our team as Cultivation Assistants. Check out our openings and apply online here.